J. T. Moore Middle School

2008 Rising 6th Grade Summer Reading

Required: A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories by Richard Peck

Annotation: Each summer throughout the nine years of the Great Depression, Joey and his sister Mary Alice from Chicago visit their grandmother's sleepy Illinois town. Each summer they discover a visit to Grandma Dowdel's is far from typical.

PLUS

Choose one book from this list that you have not previously read:

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Annotation: Set in 1935, when guards actually lived on Alcatraz Island with their families, Choldenko's second novel brings humor to the complexities of family dynamics.

Janitor’s Boy by Andrew Clements

Annotation: When Jack Rankin is publicly embarrassed by his father, the school janitor, his act of revenge results in him having to assist his father after school for three weeks. The work is tedious and humiliating, but Jack discovers some surprising secrets about his father--and himself.

Dragonwings by Laurence Yep

Annotation: A Chinese immigrant and his son build a flying machine in "an unusual historical novel, unique in its perspective of the Chinese in America and its portrayal of early 20th century San Francisco, including the Earthquake, from an immigrant's viewpoint."--"School Library Journal."

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Annotation: From the award-winning author of "Esperanza Rising" comes a riveting novel about family and identity, drawn from the warmth, wisdom, and love of Ryan's own Mexican and Oklahoman heritages. Grandmother is raising Naomi and her younger brother and all is well until their mother unexpectedly returns and plans to take only Naomi away.

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Annotation: The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Now, 200 years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city.

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

Annotation: Bound is a thrilling and haunting retelling of the Cinderella story that returns the much-loved fairy tale to its Chinese roots.

School Story by Andrew Clements

Annotation: Twelve-year-old Natalie has written a story her best friend says is good enough to publish. But how can two sixth graders conquer the tough world of children's publishing?

The Ravenmaster’s Secret: Escape from the Tower of London by Elvira Woodruff

Annotation: Forrest lives at the Tower of London prison, where his father tends the Tower ravens and guards inmates. When the daughter of a Scottish spy arrives, she and Forrest become friends. But when she is slated for execution, Forrest must make some painful choices.